Holiday Disguise makes Biogio's Rose fourth straight win

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Linda Rice had been trying to run Holiday Disguise for nearly two months. First, races wouldn’t fill. Then, weather delayed a couple of stakes that were ultimately run when her barn was under quarantine.

Rice was finally able to send Holiday Disguise to the post Thursday, and it was well worth the wait as the New York-bred filly took advantage of a contested pace and rolled to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $100,000 Biogio’s Rose Stakes at Aqueduct. Frost Wise, who was favored by $2,143 over Holiday Disguise, held second after being part of a speed duel, finishing 4 12 lengths clear of her pace-prompter No Hayne No Gayne. Literata and Decorator Jenn were next while Carry Your Heels was eased.

The win was the fourth straight for Holiday Disguise, a 4-year-old daughter of Harlan’s Holiday owned by Sheila Rosenblum, but it was her first start since she won the Bouwerie Stakes last May 29 at Belmont Park. An ankle injury shortly thereafter started the process of Holiday Disguise not running for 255 days.

Rice had wanted to run Holiday Disguise in the La Verdad Stakes here in early January, but she couldn’t get a prep race to fill, and then the race was run when Rice’s barn was under quarantine due to a different horse of hers having tested positive for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1).
“It’s been a tough winter,” Rice said.

Holiday Disguise, ridden by Junior Alvarado, benefitted from a contested pace between Frost Wise and No Hayne No Gayne, who were heads apart through a half-mile in 48.16 seconds. Holiday Disguise raced inside of Decorator Jenn before Alvarado was able to guide her to the outside and in the clear for the stretch. While Frost Wise discarded No Hayne No Gayne, she had nothing left to resist Holiday Disguise, who rallied down the center of the track.

Holiday Disguise covered the mile in 1:41.06 and returned $4.60 to win.

“It did set up like how I wanted it to,” Alvarado said. “At the three-eighths pole I knew I had a lot of horse even though [Frost Wise] always fights. I knew I was pretty loaded and she showed it at the end.”

Holiday Disguise is likely headed to open company next with her New York options being the Heavenly Prize Invitational going a mile on March 10 or the Grade 3 Distaff at seven furlongs on April 8. Both races carry a $150,000 purse.

Holiday Disguise is a half-sister to the 3-year-old filly Midnight Disguise, who won the Busanda Stakes here on Jan. 25 and who is pointing to the Busher on March 3.